Faults:

At about 50000 miles, had some transmission wire replaced as my automatic shifting wasn't so smooth... now at, 58000 miles, I may need the whole transmission replaced.

My tan top has also gotten stained and sticky! I was interested to find others have had that problem. VW dealer has no explanation.

General Comments:

Heated seats are great, will turn on a dime, and is super fun in the summer weather. It has however, been unreliable and the top has become ugly. I have heard it is possible to paint/stain a darker color to mask stains and looks great. Haven't tried it out yet though.

Faults:

Door moldings have fallen off many times.

Leather interior peeling away from door.

Replaced alternator at about 25,000 miles.

Replaced anti-lock brake sensor at about 30,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car has been a complete waste of money.

The door moldings have fallen off several times. Of course, with VWs ridiculous 2 year warranty, everything starts to go around then. So at a cost of about $100 for the piece and labor, I have had the molding replaced three times, about to be the fourth, in the four years I have owned the car. What is worse is that the part is not available anymore. I have seen plenty of VWs with this same problem so it's not just a Cabrio thing.

The worst defect I have had is that the leather on the interior of the doors is pulling away. It was simply tucked underneath the moulding instead of glued, stapled, etc. Obviously it was too short to stay put. This car now looks like crap because the interior panels are peeling away. I was told by the dealership that it would cost upwards of $1,000 to repair each side!!! When I complained to VW, I was sent a form letter addressed to the incorrect name telling me there is nothing that they can do for me even though I was only 1,000 miles over the 24,000 warranty. So, I assume this is a common problem with VW.

Mechanically, it hasn't been awful, but not great either. The alternator and anti-lock brake sensors have been replaced.

In my opinion, Volkswagen should be ashamed.

Faults:

Starter needed to be replaced at 50,000 miles.

Car died on major highway and needed to be towed 60 miles back to dealership at 60,000 miles. Ignition caps and ignition cords needed to be replaced.

Driver's side door does not engage alarm. Car needs to be locked from passenger's side door at all times.

Cruise control does not work at all times and turns on automatically at other times.

Tan vinyl top turned orange and sticky after 3 1/2 years for no reason. It previously had been maintained properly. No cleaner recommended by VW and no cleaner will get off stain completed. Top starting to rip on driver's side. Group of ten other owners with 1998 Cabrios manufactured at VW de Mexico experiencing same problems. VW states the top needs to be replaced at owner's cost and refuses to consider it a defect in the composition of the top/vinyl.

General Comments:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this car, even with its unreliability, until the top deteriorated. Now, I am embarrassed to drive it.

I will never by another car manufactured by VW again. I had better customer service and reliability from the manufacturer of my previous car, a 1993 Ford Probe.

Faults:

My power top failed to work at 46000 miles.

My power window on driver side failed at 44000 miles.

Speaker side and volume has to be programmed after each use.

Seat.

General Comments:

It is a fun car to drive, but when it comes to repairing it, it is an absolute fortune.

I will never buy a Volkswagen Again!!!